From cute to empress

Back in my bedroom, I tossed and turned all night, Zhen Youcai's hesitant expression and flickering eyes lingering in my mind. He must be hiding something from me! But what could he be hiding from me? Could it be...

My thoughts were a tangled mess, impossible to sort out. As the sky outside the window gradually brightened, I simply stood up and decided to go find Zhen Youcai to ask for clarification.

I hurried to Zhen Youcai's residence, but found nothing. The guards told me that he had been summoned to the palace by the emperor early that morning. I felt even more uneasy. Could something have really happened?

I forced myself to calm down and decided to return to my chambers to wait. However, my heart wouldn't calm down. As time passed, my anxiety grew.

At lunchtime, the palace maids brought in a sumptuous meal. But I had no appetite at all. Zhen Youcai's figure and his complicated eyes kept appearing in my mind.

"Your Majesty, please eat a little." Seeing that I was reluctant to eat, Xiaolan, the personal maid, couldn't help but persuade me.

I forced a smile and took a piece of osmanthus cake and put it in my mouth. However, as soon as the cake entered my mouth, I noticed something strange. The taste was subtly bitter, completely different from the osmanthus cake I usually eat.

I was shocked. Could it be...

"Xiaolan, who sent this osmanthus cake?" I asked calmly, suppressing the uneasiness in my heart.

"Your Majesty, it was Concubine Mei who specially ordered it to be delivered. She said that you loved to eat osmanthus cake the most, so she asked the imperial kitchen to make it and send it to you to try." Xiaolan replied.

Mei Fei! My heart sank.

At this moment, Zhen Youcai rushed over. He knocked over the osmanthus cake in my hand and asked anxiously, "Mengmeng, are you okay?"

I shook my head and looked at him in shock.

"Fortunately, I arrived in time, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable!" Zhen Youcai said gritting his teeth, with flames of anger flashing in his eyes.

"What is going on?" I asked, my heart filled with confusion and fear.

"It was Concubine Mei. She poisoned the osmanthus cake and wanted to harm you!" Zhen Youcai's voice was cold, like a messenger from hell.

I was suddenly struck by lightning and stood there in a daze.

Zhen Youcai helped me sit down and told me the whole story. It turned out that he had long been aware that Concubine Mei had ill intentions towards me and had secretly sent people to monitor her every move. This morning, he discovered that Concubine Mei had sneaked into the imperial kitchen and ordered someone to prepare this plate of osmanthus cake. He also saw with his own eyes that she had poisoned the cake.

After listening to his story, I felt both fear and gratitude. I was afraid because I almost fell into Mei Fei's trap; I was grateful that Zhen Youcai showed up in time and saved my life.

"Mengmeng, don't be afraid, I will protect you." Zhen Youcai held my hand tightly, his eyes full of heartache and love.

"Yeah!" I nodded, feeling safe.

"However, we can't just sit there and wait for death. We must find evidence that Concubine Mei poisoned us before we can completely bring her down!" Zhen Youcai said in a deep voice.

"But where are we going to find evidence?" I asked.

"The library!" Zhen Youcai's eyes flashed. "I remember reading an ancient book in the library before. It contains the recipes for various poisons and their antidotes. Perhaps we can find some clues from it."

My eyes lit up. Yes, why didn’t I think of that?

So, the two of us decided to go to the library to look for evidence of Concubine Mei's guilt...

The library was indeed vast and boundless. Zhen Youcai and I split up and carefully searched for any books related to poisons. But Concubine Mei was so cunning, her poison must have been very secretive. I searched for a long time but still found nothing.

Just when I was feeling discouraged, I heard a low cry of joy from Zhen Youcai. I hurried over and saw that he was holding a yellowed ancient book with the words "Hundred Poisons" written on the cover.

"Found it!" Zhen Youcai couldn't hide his excitement, "There must be what we're looking for on it!"

We eagerly opened the book and began to peruse it. Sure enough, it detailed the names, properties, formulas, and antidotes of various poisons. Zhen Youcai compared the descriptions of the poisons in the osmanthus cake and finally found the corresponding antidote.

"That's great, Mengmeng, you're safe!" Zhen Youcai breathed a sigh of relief.

My heart finally settled down, but I also realized that the struggle in the palace was far more cruel than I had imagined. I couldn't always rely on Zhen Youcai's protection. I had to make myself stronger to survive in the harem full of intrigues.

"You're talented. I want to learn some martial arts for self-defense." I raised my head and looked at him firmly.

Zhen Youcai was stunned at first, but then he understood what I meant. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go ask Coach Sun to teach you."

Instructor Sun was a renowned martial arts instructor within the palace, having previously served as the instructor of the Imperial Guards. His martial arts skills were truly remarkable. Upon hearing my request, he readily agreed, taking time out every day to teach me some basic self-defense techniques.

Although I didn't have a natural talent for martial arts, my diligence and hard work, coupled with Coach Sun's careful guidance, helped me improve my martial arts by leaps and bounds. From being clumsy at first to being able to skillfully perform some simple moves, I gradually felt a sense of power I had never felt before.

In addition to martial arts training, I also studied music from the palace musician Qian. Qian, a talented musician, composed a stirring piece of music for me called "Phoenix Singing in the Ninth Heaven." Whenever I feel discouraged or powerless, I play this piece, and it seems to possess a magical power that lifts my spirits and revives me.

"Your Majesty, you are truly gifted. You have performed the song 'Phoenix Singing in the Ninth Heaven' to perfection." Musician Qian exclaimed in praise.

I smiled modestly and said, "Master Qian, you're too kind. I just want to express my emotions through music."

"Your Majesty's emotions are sincere and touching. I believe that one day, your piano music will resound throughout the entire palace and even the entire world!" Musician Qian looked at me with anticipation in his eyes.

My heart moved. Yes, my life has just begun. How can I give up so easily? I must become stronger, not only to protect myself, but also to protect the people I care about!

Just then, a palace maid hurried in, bowed to me, and said, "Your Majesty, Su Xiu Niang wishes to see you. She said she has made a new dress for you and would like you to take a look at it."

"Is the Su embroidery lady here?" I put down my book, and the image of the Su embroidery lady's deft hands and ever-softening smile came to mind. Ever since I began studying music, the Su embroidery lady has often come to teach me how to identify different silk threads and various embroidery techniques. She always said that a woman's elegance is not only reflected in her gestures, but also in every stitch.

"Please invite Lady Su in." I ordered with a smile, secretly looking forward to what kind of surprise Lady Su would bring me this time.

After a while, Su Xiu Niang came in with two little palace maids. They were holding a tray covered with red brocade in their hands, and their faces were filled with joyful smiles.

"Greetings to Her Majesty." Su Xiu Niang bowed, her voice as gentle as water.

"Hurry up and get up, Su Xiu Niang. What good thing is it this time that makes you so excited?" I joked with a smile.

The Su embroiderer gently lifted the brocade cloth, revealing an incredibly luxurious gown. It was a pale blue dress, embroidered with a lifelike phoenix pattern. Gold thread outlined the phoenix, which shimmered in the candlelight, appearing as if about to spread its wings and take flight. Pearls dotted the hem, adding a touch of elegance and nobility.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" I couldn't help but exclaim. This dress is simply breathtakingly beautiful.

"As long as Your Majesty likes it," said Lady Su Xiu with a pleased smile. "This dress was specially made for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will stand out at the palace banquet."

A palace banquet? My heart skipped a beat, and then I remembered that the Queen Mother's birthday was coming up in a few days, and the palace was going to hold a grand banquet. Could it be...

"Su Xiu Niang, do you know something?" I asked tentatively. My intuition told me that Su Xiu Niang's action must have a deeper meaning.

Su Xiu Niang smiled slightly and whispered, "Your Majesty is extremely intelligent and must have guessed it. I just hope that Your Majesty can protect herself at the banquet."

My heart trembled. Su Xiu Niang's words only confirmed my suspicions. It seemed that this banquet was not a simple one. Mei Fei must have set a trap in secret to kill me.

"Thank you, Su Xiu Niang, I know what to do." I took a deep breath, and a determined gleam flashed in my eyes.

On the day of the banquet, I donned the gown meticulously crafted for me by the Su embroidery lady, and I felt as if enveloped in a holy aura. When I entered the banquet hall, everyone's gaze was drawn to me. Even the usually proud Concubine Mei couldn't help but flash a hint of jealousy in her eyes.

Halfway through the banquet, Concubine Mei suddenly stood up, toasted the emperor, and casually said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Sister Niu's zither skills have improved greatly recently. Why don't you ask Sister Niu to play a piece for the Empress Dowager to liven up her mood?"

I sneered inwardly. How could I not know what Mei Fei was planning? She wanted to embarrass me in front of everyone so she could humiliate me.

I stood up gracefully and smiled faintly: "Since Sister Mei Fei is so kind, then I will perform my ugly deeds."

I walked over to the piano, took a deep breath, and gently plucked the strings with my ten fingers. The melodious sound echoed throughout the hall, sometimes soothing like flowing water, sometimes passionate like a war drum, as if telling a story of ups and downs.

When the song ended, the hall fell silent, and everyone was immersed in the sound of my piano, savoring it for a long time.

"Excellent! Well played!" The emperor was the first to applaud, his face full of admiration. "Sister Niu's piano skills are truly extraordinary. I really like this piece. I wonder who composed it?"

I knew this was the best time for me to strike back at Concubine Mei.

"Your Majesty, this piece of music is called 'Phoenix Sings in the Ninth Heaven.' It's..." I paused deliberately, my eyes glancing at the pale Concubine Mei. "I composed it myself." My fingertips still felt the touch of the zither strings, and the melody of 'Phoenix Sings in the Ninth Heaven' seemed to echo in my ears. The bustle of the banquet seemed like a distant dream. I let out a soft breath, lifted my skirt, and strolled through the Imperial Gardens. The night breeze was cool and refreshing, and the fragrance of flowers was refreshing.

"Your Majesty's piano skills are becoming more and more exquisite. Even I am fascinated by your performance." A familiar voice came from behind me, with a hint of smile. I knew it was Zhen Youcai without turning around.

I stopped and turned to look at him. In the moonlight, he was dressed in blue, with an upright posture. There was a hint of fatigue between his brows, but it couldn't hide the concern in his eyes.

"Guard Zhen, you're too kind," I said with a faint smile. "That piece of music is all thanks to the guqin sheet music you found for me."

"I dare not take credit for it. Your Majesty is naturally intelligent and diligent in her practice. This is what matters most." He said, taking a step forward and naturally holding my arm. "It's late at night and the dew is heavy. Your Majesty should return to the palace early to rest."

I nodded, letting him support me as we walked slowly along the moonlit gravel road. We spoke in silence, but the tacit understanding between us flowed quietly in the air.

"Thank you for what happened today." I said softly. I knew that if he had not noticed Mei Fei's conspiracy in advance and arranged everything secretly, I would probably not be able to escape unscathed today.

"Your Majesty, you are too polite. It is my duty to protect you." His voice was still calm, but I knew that what he did had already exceeded the duties of a guard.

I looked up at him. In the moonlight, his profile was sharply defined, his eyes firm and deep. At that moment, a warm current surged in my heart, dispelling all my anxiety and fear.

"It's great to have you here." I murmured, my voice as gentle as the night wind.

He was slightly stunned, then a warm smile appeared on the corner of his lips. He didn't say anything, but the hand holding my arm unconsciously tightened.

We walked quietly like this until the sound of a night watchman's drum came in the distance, reminding us that the night was deep.

"My lady, it's getting late." He reminded softly.

I nodded and was about to turn and leave, but suddenly I heard a burst of hurried footsteps. Then, a eunuch appeared in front of us with a panicked look on his face.

"The Emperor has issued an oral order; Guard Zhen and Empress Niu are to immediately proceed to the Imperial Study to discuss matters!"

My heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. Could it be... something had happened?

I looked at Zhen Youcai, his brows were slightly furrowed, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

"I wonder why the emperor summoned me so late at night?" he asked in a deep voice.

The eunuch wiped the sweat from his forehead and lowered his voice, "Guard Zhen, it's... it's the envoys from a neighboring country who suddenly visited and made a series of unreasonable demands. The emperor is worried about this matter."

My heart suddenly tightened. It seemed that the peaceful days were about to be broken again...